Exercise assisting apparatus

ABSTRACT

An exercise assisting apparatus ( 1 ) comprises: a seat ( 13 ) on which buttocks of a user ( 2 ) is sit; a stationary support base ( 12 ) for supporting the seat ( 13 ); a burden regulator ( 14 ) provided between the support base ( 12 ) and the seat ( 13 ), and for regulating a ratio of self weight of the user which is supported by the seat ( 13 ) so that a load due to the self weight of the user acting on leg portion of the user; and a driving mechanism ( 16 ) for driving the burden regulator ( 14 ) so that the ratio of self weight of the user supported by the seat varies as time passes. The burden regulator ( 14 ) couples the support base ( 12 ) and the seat ( 13 ) in a manner so that a portion of the seat ( 13 ) to which the buttocks of the user is sit is tilted between a first state where the portion becomes horizontal and a second state where the portion is slanted downward toward the foot side in a plane including one of femoral regions and the buttocks of the user. Thus, a space necessary for using the exercise assisting apparatus ( 1 ) can be narrowed, and strength of a material of the support base ( 12 ) can be lowered.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an exercise assisting apparatus whichenables contracting of muscle of a user with regulating a burden due toown weight of the user acting on legs of the user under a state thatbuttocks of the user is sit on a seat, although it is relativelycomfortable posture.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, it is known that contraction of muscle occurs when stimulusof exercise due to external force is applied to a muscle of a user evenif the user does not move a body voluntarily. In other words, althoughstimuli of exercise are caused by external force, when the muscle of theuser repeats contraction, glucose is taken in the muscle, so thatglucose metabolism rises, and thereby glucose will be consumed.Therefore, it may contribute to recover from diseases of adults such asdiabetes, corpulence or hyperlipemia, as a result that hyperglycosemia,hyperinsulinemia are improved.

In order to perform the glucose metabolism due to contraction of muscleeffectively, it is desirable to generate the contraction of muscle in amuscle having a large volume such as red muscle or slow muscle whichcontributes to aerobic exercise in particular. Thus, it is found to beeffective for contracting muscles of femoral region or back. In aconventional exercise assisting apparatus for inducing contraction ofmuscle in the femoral region, for example, shown in Japanese Laid-OpenPatent Publication No. 2005-58733, a support base is provided forsupporting buttocks of a user at an upper end portion thereof while theuser sits, and the support base is constituted to be tilted.

In the above conventional exercise assisting apparatus, it isconstituted to tilt the support base, so that relatively wide space isneeded to tilt the support base. Furthermore, a relatively large momentdue to self weight of the user acts on a lower end portion of thesupport base, so that it is necessary to give relatively high strengthto the support base. As a result, an occupation space necessary forestablishment of the exercise assisting apparatus becomes wider, so thatthe position of establishment of the exercise assisting apparatus may belimited. Still furthermore, it is necessary to increase strength of amaterial of the support base or a member enabling to tilt the supportbase, so that the exercise assisting apparatus becomes expensive.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A purpose of the present invention is to provide an exercise assistingapparatus which enables to reduce restriction of installation locationwith diminishing necessary space at the point of use, and to reduce thestrength of the material of the support base, in comparison with theconfiguration of the conventional exercise support apparatus.

For accomplishing the above-mentioned purpose, an exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with an aspect of the present inventioncomprises:

a seat on which buttocks of a user is sit;

a stationary support base for supporting the seat;

a burden regulator provided between the support base and the seat, andfor regulating a ratio of self weight of the user which is supported bythe seat so that a load due to the self weight of the user acting on legportion of the user; and

a driving mechanism for driving the burden regulator so that the ratioof self weight of the user supported by the seat varies as time passes;

the burden regulator coupling the support base and the seat in a mannerso that a portion of the seat to which the buttocks of the user is sitis tilted between a first state where the portion becomes horizontal anda second state where the portion is slanted downward toward the footside in a plane including one of femoral regions and the buttocks of theuser.

According to this constitution, the burden acting on the foot portion ofthe user is varied with varying slanting angle of the seat with respectto the support base, so that it is possible to stimulate the contractionof muscle of the foot of the user, mainly. Thus, muscle strength of footcan be strengthened, or glucose metabolism can be raised by uptake ofglucose to muscle due to the contraction of muscle.

Furthermore, only the seat to which the buttocks of the user is sit ismoved but the support base is not moved, so that a space necessary formovement of the apparatus becomes relatively smaller. Thus, the spacenecessary for establishment of the apparatus can be narrowed incomparison with the conventional constitution where the support base isslanted.

Still furthermore, the support base is stationary and the slanting angleof the seat with respect to the support base is varied, so that a momentdue to self weight of the user acts on around of a portion coupling thesupport base and the seat. Thus, since the moment acting on around thelower end portion of the support base is largely reduced, the strengthof the portion coupling the seat with the support base can be loweredthan the strength of the portion which supports the lower end of thesupport base enabling to tilt in the conventional structure, and therebycost down of the exercise assisting apparatus is enabled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view showing a first state of an exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1B is a side view showing a second state of the exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment in.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view showing the exercise assisting apparatusin the first state shown in FIG. 1A, which is frontally observed.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view showing a state that a seat is slanted ina plane including buttocks and the right foot among the second statesshown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3A is a side view showing a state that a main seat portion isextended in an anteroposterior direction in the exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with the first embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a side view showing a state that the above main seat portionis contracted in the anteroposterior direction.

FIG. 4A is a side view showing a state that an angle of an auxiliaryseat portion with respect to the main seat portion is decreased loweredin a modification of the exercise assisting apparatus in accordance withthe first embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a side view showing a state that the angle of the auxiliaryseat portion with respect to the main seat portion is increased in theabove modification in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a side view showing a first state of an exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5B is a side view showing a second state of the exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a side view showing a modification of the exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with the second embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view showing the above modification in thesecond embodiment.

FIG. 7A is a side view showing a first state of an exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7B is a side view showing a second state of the exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plain view showing a constitution of a step portion in amodification of the exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with thethird embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an exercise assisting apparatus inaccordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a modification of the exerciseassisting apparatus in accordance with the fourth embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

An exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe present invention is described with reference to the drawings. FIG.1A shows a first state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 inaccordance with the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B shows a second stateof the exercise assisting apparatus 1.

As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the exercise assisting apparatus 1comprises a pedestal 11 which is established on an establishment facesuch as a floor face, a stationary support base such as a pole brace 12provided to stick up at a predetermined position on the pedestal 11, anda seat 13 disposed at an upper end of the support base 12 to whichbuttocks of a user is sit. The seat 13 further comprises a main seatportion 13 a to which the buttocks of the user is sit, and an auxiliaryseat portion 13 b obliquely extended downward from the main seat portion13 a. Front portion of the auxiliary seat portion 13 b is formed to betwo-forked so that femoral regions of the user 2 are posited thereon. Inother words, an angle between the main seat portion 13 a and theauxiliary seat portion 13 b is set so that femoral regions of the user 2are supported by the auxiliary seat portion 13 b, when the user 2 sitson the seat 13 with his or her legs spread out in a manner so that rootsof the femoral regions are aligned at portions near to the boundarybetween the main seat portion 13 a and the auxiliary seat portion 13 b.

The seat 13 is connected to the support base 12 via a burden regulator14 so as to be supported by the support base 12. The burden regulator 14connects the seat 13 to the support base 12 in a manner so that the seat13 can be tilted between a first state where a top face of the main seatportion 13 a becomes horizontal as shown in FIG. 1A and a second statewhere the top face of the main seat portion 13 a is slanted downwardlytoward foot side from the buttocks as shown in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 2A shows the first state of the exercise assisting apparatus whichis frontally observed. FIG. 2B shows the second state of the exerciseassisting apparatus, in particular, a state that the top face of themain seat portion 13 a of the seat 13 is slanted in a plane includingthe buttocks and the right foot. Hereupon, the term “the second state”includes tow states, one is the above mentioned state that the top faceof the main seat portion 13 a of the seat 13 is slanted in the planeincluding the buttocks and the right foot shown in FIG. 2B, and theother is a state that the top face of the main seat portion 13 a of theseat 13 is slanted in a plane including the buttocks and the left foot(slanted in the opposite direction to the state shown in FIG. 2B). Inthe following description, the former case is called “second state(right)” and the latter case is called “second state (left)”.

A pair of steps 15, to which both foots of the user 2 are posited, isformed on the pedestal 11. The steps 15 are used so that foots of theuser 2 are posited thereon in both of the first state and the secondstate. Therefore, self weight of the user 2 is received with the seat 13and the steps 15.

Burden acting on the seat 13 due to the self weight of the user 2 in thefirst state is larger than that in the second state, and burden actingon the steps 15 due to the self weight of the user 2 in the second stateis larger than that in the first state. In other words, burden acting toleg portions of the user 2 due to the self weight of the user 2 variescorresponding to the tilt of the seat 13, so that it is possible toprovoke the contraction of muscle in the leg portions of the user 2.

The exercise assisting apparatus 1 comprises a driving mechanism 16having a driving source such as a motor for driving the burden regulator14. When the burden regulator 14 is driven by the driving mechanism 16,the above mentioned first state and the second state are alternatelyrepeated. Specifically, the seat 13 is moved against the support base 12in an order of first state→second state (left)→first state→second state(right)→first state.

For realizing this motion of the seat 13, a pair of cranks which arecoupled to the seat 13 is provided on both sides of the burden regulator14, and links coupled to the cranks are provided on the drivingmechanism 16. The motor of the driving mechanism 16 is controlledactivation and deactivation and rotation speed thereof by a control unitwhich is not illustrated.

When the driving mechanism 16 is activated, the first state shown inFIG. 1A where the buttocks of the user 2 is supported with the main seatportion 13 a of the seat 13 and femoral regions of the user 2 aresupported with the auxiliary seat portion 13 b and the second stateshown in FIG. 1B where femoral regions of the user 2 are hardlysupported with the auxiliary seat portion 13B even though buttocks ofthe user 2 is supported by the main seat portion 13 are repeated.

In the first state, since most of the self weight of the user 2 isreceived with the main seat portion 13 a of the seat 13, the burdenacting on the leg portion of the user 2 is relatively small. On theother hand, in the second state, since the main seat portion 13 a of theseat 13 is slanted forward and downward, a component of force acts onbuttocks of the user 2 forward along the top face of the main seatportion 13 a, and thereby, the burdens acting on the leg portions of theuser increase. Therefore, by repeating the first state and the secondstate alternately, the contraction of muscle occurs in the muscle of theleg portions of the user 2.

In the second state, the seat 13 is slanted in either of right and leftside of the user 2, in other words, it is slanted in a plane includingthe support base 12 and either of the steps 15 so as not to act a forcein right or left hand on knee joints of the user 2. Even the user 2 whohas a pain toward a knee joint can use this exercise assisting apparatus1 according to such motions. Furthermore, since the burden due to theself weight of the user 2 acts on one of legs of the user 2 in each ofthe second state (right) and the second state (left), it is possible toapply a larger burden to each leg than that in the case where burdensact on both legs simultaneously.

When there is a pain in a knee joint, it is known that the pain becomesworse, if a bending angle of the knee joint from an extension state israised larger than a predetermined angle (for example, 40 degrees).Thus, the gradient angle of the seat 13 is limited so that the bendingangle of the knee joint is kept lower than a predetermined angle.Specifically, the gradient angle of the main seat portion 13 a of theseat 13 is limited to be equal to or smaller than 20 degrees (o to 20degrees) with respect to horizontal plane.

According to the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in the first embodiment,since only the seat 13 is tilted with respect to the support base 12which is provided to stick up at a predetermined position on thepedestal 11, a moment acting on the burden regulator 14 around arotation center of the seat 13 becomes smaller, in comparison with aconstitution to tilt the pedestal like the conventional apparatus, sothat the driving power of the driving mechanism 16 can be lowered.Furthermore, a space necessary for moving the exercise assistingapparatus 1 becomes smaller than that of the conventional apparatus.

By the way, a contacting area of the seat and buttocks of the user 2when the user sits on the seat 13 is different corresponding to physicalsize of the user 2. Thus, the burden acting on the leg portion in thesecond state may be varied due to the physical size of the user 2, sothat there may be the case that expected exercise effect is not obtainedor the exercise becomes over load to the user 2. In addition, it isnecessary to regulate the burden acting on the leg portion correspondingto muscular strength of the user 2 as well as difference of physicalsize.

Thus, the burden regulator 14 is constituted so that the seat 13 isslidable in an anteroposterior direction with respect to the supportbase 12. As an example of concrete constitution, the burden regulator 14comprises a guide rail for guiding the seat 13 in the anteroposteriordirection, and a lever for switching between a state to move the seat 13along the rail and a state to fix the seat so as not to move in theanteroposterior direction. As for the lever, a cam chuck havingsubstantially the same structure as quick release lever used for bicyclewidely can be used.

Alternatively, it is possible to constitute that the main seat portion13 a of the seat 13 is divided into two parts of a front portion and arear portion, and the front portion and the rear portion are coupledwith an extension and contraction mechanism like a pantograph so as tovary the area of the main seat portion 13 a. With such a configuration,the area of the main seat portion 13 a supporting buttocks of the user 2can be adjusted between the extended state where the main seat portion13 is extended in the anteroposterior direction as shown in FIG. 3A andthe contracted state where the main seat portion 13 is contracted in theanteroposterior direction as shown in FIG. 3B. As a result, the ratio ofthe burden supported by the seat 13 is varied by adjusting the area ofthe main seat portion 13 a, so that the burden acting on the leg portionof the user 2 can be increased and decreased.

Furthermore, it is possible to constitute that an angle of the auxiliaryseat portion 13 b with respect to the main seat portion 13 a ischangeable as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, as for the method for increasingand decreasing the burden acting of the leg portion of the user 2. FIG.4A shows a state that the angle of the auxiliary seat portion 13 b withrespect to the main seat portion 13 a is decreased, so that the burdenacting on the auxiliary seat portion 13 b from the femoral portions ofthe user 2 is increased. FIG. 4B shows a state that the angle of theauxiliary seat portion 13 b with respect to the main seat portion 13 ais increased, so that the burden acting on the auxiliary seat portion 13b from the femoral portions of the user 2 is decreased. In this way, itis possible to regulate the burden acting on the auxiliary seat portion13 b from the femoral portions of the user 2 with varying the angle ofthe auxiliary seat portion 13 b with respect to the main seat portion 13a, and thereby, the burden acting on the leg portion of the user 2 canbe increased and decreased. In addition, the constitution to slide theseat 13, and the constitution to extend and contract the main seatportion 13 a, and the constitution to vary the angle of the auxiliaryseat portion 13 b with respect to the main seat portion 13 a can be puttogether appropriately.

Second Embodiment

Subsequently, an exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with asecond embodiment of the present invention is described with referenceto the drawings. In the second embodiment, an upper body supportingmember for restricting a part of the upper body of the user 2 isprovided on the exercise assisting apparatus 1 so as to prevent that theupper body of the user 2 tilts forward or backward more than required.In other words, when the upper body of the user 2 is tilted forward morethan supposed in the second state of the seat 13, the burden acting onthe leg portion becomes superabundant. On the contrary, when the upperbody of the user 2 is tilted backward more than supposed, the burdenacting on the leg portion becomes insufficient. Thus, the upper body islimited for acting an expected burden on the leg portion of the user 2in the second embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows the first state of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 inaccordance with the second embodiment, and FIG. 5B shows the secondstate of the exercise assisting apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 5A and5B, in the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in accordance with in thesecond embodiment, an upper body supporting member 17 of a form ofbackrest, which contacts waist back of the user 2 who sits buttocks onthe seat 13, is coupled with the seat 13. The seat 13 and the upper bodysupport member 17 are coupled through a second driving mechanism 18having a motor as a driving source. The driving mechanism 18 iscontrolled to adjust an angle of the upper body support member 17 withrespect to the seat 13 in conjunction with the tilt of the seat 13 withthe driving mechanism 16.

According to such a constitution, although the upper body supportingmember 17 and the driving mechanism 18 are newly necessary, and theconstitution of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 becomes complicated,it is possible to prevent that the upper body of the user 2 inclinesbackward, and thereby, expected burden can be acted on the leg portionof the user 2. This constitution, however, does not prevent that theupper body of the user 2 inclines forward, so that the burden acting onthe leg portion may be overabundant when the upper body of the user 2inclines forward too much. Thus, it is desirable that the user 2 turnsboth arms to rear face of the upper body supporting member 17 at thepoint of use so as to prevent the forward inclination of the upper bodyof the user 2.

A modified example of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in accordancewith the second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As can be seenfrom FIGS. 6A and 6B, an arrester 17 a, which contacts a front face ofthe upper body of the user 2 for restricting forward movement of theupper body, is further added to the upper body supporting member 17 inthis modification. The arrester 17 a has a single arm 17 b, an end ofwhich is rotatably borne on the seat 13, and a supporting bar 17 c,which is connected to the other end of the arm 17 b and contacts toabdomen of the user 2. The user 2 will enter his or her waist into aspace between the seat 13 and the arrester 17 a from an opening betweenthe supporting bar 17 c and the seat 13 so as sit on the seat 13. Sincethe arrester 17 a is rotatably borne on the seat 13, it is possible toadjust the position of the arrester corresponding to the waistline ofuser 2.

According to the above modified constitution having the arrester 17 a,when the top face of the seat 13 is slanted so that it is located in thesecond state as shown in FIG. 6A, it is possible to prevent that thebuttocks of the user 2 becomes slippery forward. Furthermore, since thearrester 17 a contacts the abdomen of the user 2, it is possible toprevent that the upper body of the user 2 slants forward.

The arrester 17 a is not necessarily rotatably borne on the seat 13, andit may directly be fixed on the seat 13. Furthermore, the shape of thearrester 17 a is not limited to the above mentioned one, and it may be,for example, a seat belt like that of the airplane. Still furthermore,the upper body supporting member 17 is not necessarily connected to theseat 13. However, when the upper body supporting member 17 is connectedto the seat 13, the exercise assisting apparatus 1 is not bulky andenables space-saving.

Still furthermore, since it is sufficient that the arrester 17 aprevents the forward movement of the abdomen of the user 2, an arrester17 a having Tee-shape may be provided at a center portion of a front endof the seat 13. In such a case, it is possible to adopt a constitutionthat the arrester 17 a can be fallen forward when the user 2 sits on theseat 13, and raised and adjusted the location thereof after the user 2sits on the seat 13. Other constitutions and action of the exerciseassisting apparatus 1 in the second embodiment are similar to those inthe above mentioned first embodiment.

Third Embodiment

Subsequently, an exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with a thirdembodiment of the present invention is described with reference to thedrawings. FIG. 7A shows a first state of an exercise assisting apparatus1 in accordance with the third embodiment, and FIG. 7B shows a secondstate of the exercise assisting apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 7A and7B, each step 15 is constituted by a plurality of, for example, twopartial steps 15 a and 15 b in the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in thethird embodiment.

The partial steps 15 a and 15 b are movable with respect to the pedestal11 each. In addition, each step 15 has a driving unit 20 for driving thepartial steps 15 a and 15 b with a driving source such as a motor. Sincethe motions of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b are in conjunction withthe motion of the seat 13, it is no need to provide a driving sourcewith respect to each of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b, and it maydrive a plurality of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b with a singledriving source.

Each of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b is constituted so that at leastone of elevation, location in the anteroposterior direction (in adirection parallel to the arrangement of FIGS. 7A and 7B), location inthe widthwise direction (in a direction perpendicular to a paper sheetof FIGS. 7A and 7B) and tilt angle (at least one of rotation around anaxis in the anteroposterior direction and rotation around an axis in thewidthwise direction) with respect to the pedestal 11 is variable.

In the example shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the partial steps 15 a and 15 barranged in the anteroposterior direction are constituted so thatlocations of them in the anteroposterior direction and the tilt anglesof them around the axis in the widthwise direction can be varied. In thefirst state shown in FIG. 7A, the anterior partial step 15 a is tiltedwith respect to the posterior partial step 15 b so that a sole of theuser 2 is detached from the partial step 15 a. While the exerciseassisting apparatus 1 moves from the first state shown in FIG. 7A to thesecond state shown in FIG. 7B, the posterior partial step 15 b isgradually slanted so as to detach the sole of the user 2 therefrom, andthe anterior partial step 15 a is gradually raised to horizontal so asto approach the sole of the user 2. Following to his motion, a point ofaction of burden between the sole of the user 2 and the step 15, towhich the burden due to self weigh of the user acts, moves from heel totiptoe. Alternatively, when the exercise assisting apparatus 1 movesfrom the second state to the first state, the point of action of burdenbetween the sole of the user 2 and the step 15 moves from tiptoe toheel.

In the second state shown in FIG. 7B, since the burden due to selfweight of the user 2 is concentrated to tiptoe portion side on the foot,it is possible to contract muscular group on rear side of the foot. Inother words, it is possible to stimulate not only the contraction ofbiceps femoris muscle on the rear side of femoral region, but also thecontraction of sural muscle.

Since the above mentioned motions of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b areexamples, similar advantageous effects can be expected by moving thepartial steps 15 a and 15 b up and down instead of varying the tiltangles of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b. Furthermore, it is possibleto constitute that locations of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b areadjustable so as to change the kind of muscle which is contracted or toreduce the burden acting on nee joint or ankle joint. Otherconstitutions and action of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in thethird embodiment are similar to those in the above mentioned first andsecond embodiments.

Subsequently, a modified example of the exercise assisting apparatus 1in accordance with the third embodiment is described. In thismodification, a load sensor is provided on each of the partial steps 15a and 15 b, and locations of the partial steps 15 a and 15 b areregulated by feedback control so as to approach loads detected with theload sensors to target values. With performing such feedback control, itis possible to maintain the burden acting on the leg portion of the user2 in a proper range. As for the load censor, a load cell comprisingpiezoelectric elements or a differential transformer can be used.

Although the step 15 is comprised of two partial steps 15 a and 15 b inthe above mentioned example, the step 15 in another modified exampleshown in FIG. 8 is comprised of many, for example, nine partial steps 15c. When a load sensor is provided on each partial step 15 c, andlocation of each partial step 15 c is regulated with feedback control onthe basis of a load detected by the load sensor, it is possible tosimulate the burdens acting on the sole in walk. With simulation of theburdens acting on the sole in walk, nervous system acting in walk may bestimulates, so that the exercise may be a kind of walking training.

Fourth Embodiment

Subsequently, an exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with afourth embodiment of the present invention is described with referenceto the drawings. Since the exercise assisting apparatus 1 varies theburden due to self weight of the user 2 acting on the leg portions withvarying the tilt angle of the seat 13 as mentioned above, when balancefacility of the user falls such as a senior citizen, the user 2 may haveworry about the use of the exercise assisting apparatus 1. Thus, ahandrail 21 that the user 2 can hold is provided on the exerciseassisting apparatus 1 in the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9. Thehand rail 21 has a Tee-shape comprised of a pole brace 21 a sticking upon the pedestal 11, and a gripper 21 b provided at a top end of the polebrace 21 a that the user 2 holds. With providing the handrail 21, it ispossible to clear the user's worry about to sit on the tilted seat 13.

A modified example of the exercise assisting apparatus 1 in the fourthembodiment is shown in FIG. 10. In the constitutional example shown inFIG. 9, since the handrail 21 is fixed on the pedestal 11, relativelocation of the hand rail 21 with respect to the user 2 varies followingto the tilting motion of the seat 13. According to such variation ofrelative location of the hand rail 21 with respect to the user 2, thecontraction of muscle of upper body of the user 2 can be stimulated. Thehandrail 21, however, is provided for giving a sense of ease to the user2 whose balance facility has fallen, so that there may be the case thatthe relative location of the handrail 21 with respect to the user 2 isnot varied.

In the modification shown in FIG. 10, hand rails 21 are integrallyprovided on the seat 13. Specifically, a pair of handrails 21 isintegrally provided in the vicinities of both sides on the front end ofthe seat 13 in the widthwise direction. Since the user 2 can hold thehandrails 21 with both hands and the handrails 21 are moved with theseat 13, the relative locations of the handrails 21 with respect to theuser 2 may not be varied. Thus, it is possible to increase the sense ofease of the user 2 when the user 2 uses this exercise assistingapparatus 1. Although the handrails 21 are provided on right and leftsides of the seat 13 in the modification shown in FIG. 10, it ispossible to provide a handrail 21 at the center of the seat 13 in thewidthwise direction so as to be held by a hand or both hands of the user2. Other constitutions and action of the exercise assisting apparatus 1in the fourth embodiment are similar to those in the above mentionedfirst to third embodiments.

The present invention, however, is not limited to the constitutions ofthe above mentioned embodiments, and it is sufficient that an exerciseassisting apparatus in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention comprises: a seat on which buttocks of a user is sit; astationary support base for supporting the seat; a burden regulatorprovided between the support base and the seat, and for regulating aratio of self weight of the user which is supported by the seat so thata load due to the self weight of the user acting on leg portion of theuser; and a driving mechanism for driving the burden regulator so thatthe ratio of self weight of the user supported by the seat varies astime passes. The burden regulator couples the support base and the seatin a manner so that a portion of the seat to which the buttocks of theuser is sit is tilted between a first state where the portion becomeshorizontal and a second state where the portion is slanted downwardtoward the foot side in a plane including one of femoral regions and thebuttocks of the user.

According to this constitution, the burden acting on the foot portion ofthe user is varied with varying slanting angle of the seat with respectto the support base, so that it is possible to stimulate the contractionof muscle of the foot of the user, mainly. Thus, muscle strength of footcan be strengthened, or glucose metabolism can be raised by uptake ofglucose to muscle due to the contraction of muscle.

Furthermore, only the seat to which the buttocks of the user is sit ismoved but the support base is not moved, so that a space necessary formovement of the apparatus becomes relatively smaller. Thus, the spacenecessary for establishment of the apparatus can be narrowed incomparison with the conventional constitution where the support base isslanted.

Still furthermore, the support base is stationary and the slanting angleof the seat with respect to the support base is varied, so that a momentdue to self weight of the user acts on around of a portion coupling thesupport base and the seat. Thus, since the moment acting on around thelower end portion of the support base is largely reduced, the strengthof the portion coupling the seat with the support base can be loweredthan the strength of the portion which supports the lower end of thesupport base enabling to tilt in the conventional structure, and therebycost down of the exercise assisting apparatus is enabled.

In the above mentioned constitution, it is possible that an upper bodysupporting member, which restricts a range of a position of upper bodyof the user by restricting a part of the upper body of the user who sitshis or her buttocks on the seat, is further provided and the range ofthe position of the upper body is variable in conjunction with thedriving mechanism. Thereby, it is possible to prevent that the upperbody of the user is inclined forward or backward unnecessarily.Consequently, the burden acting on the leg portion of the user can belimited in a desired proper scope.

Furthermore, it is possible that the upper body supporting member has aportion which contacts a front face of the upper body of the user whosits the buttocks on the seat. Thereby, when the exercise assistingapparatus is in the second state, it is possible to prevent to move theposition of the buttocks of the user on the seat, and thereby to preventthat the user slips off from the seat by accident.

Still furthermore, it is possible that at least one of an area that theseat contacts with the user and a position of the seat in a horizontalplane is variable. Thereby, it is possible to regulate a ratio of aburden acting of a leg portion of the user against a burden received bythe seat among self weight of the user. Consequently, it is possible toadjust difference of the burden acting on the leg portion caused by thedifference of physical size of the user so as not to become the burdenacting on the leg portion excessively.

Still furthermore, it is possible that steps, on which the user puts hisor her foots in a state that the buttocks of the user is sit on theseat, are further provided, and each step has a plurality of partialsteps respectively contacting a plurality of portions of a sole andindependently moving so as to vary a contacting area between the stepand the sole, and a driving source for moving the partial steps.Thereby, a dimension of the burden acting on the sole or a position onthe sole on which the burden acts can be regulated with moving thepartial steps. Consequently, the burden acting on each joint of the legportion of the user, in particular, a nee joint and an ankle joint canbe regulated, and a muscular on which the burden acts can be changed.

Still furthermore, it is possible that a handrail, which is held by theuser in a state that the buttocks of the user is sit on the seat, isfurther provided. Thereby, even the user whose balance facility isdeteriorated can use the exercise assisting apparatus with holding thehandrail, so that a sense of ease can be given the user.

This application is based on Japanese patent applications 2005-154707filed in Japan, the contents of which are hereby incorporated byreferences.

Although the present invention has been fully described by way ofexample with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to beunderstood that various changes and modifications will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Therefore, unless otherwise such changes andmodifications depart from the scope of the present invention, theyshould be construed as being included therein.

1. An exercise assisting apparatus comprising: a seat on which buttocksof a user is sit; a stationary support base for supporting the seat; aburden regulator provided between the support base and the seat, and forregulating a ratio of self weight of the user which is supported by theseat so that a load due to the self weight of the user acting on legportion of the user; and a driving mechanism for driving the burdenregulator so that the ratio of self weight of the user supported by theseat varies as time passes; the burden regulator coupling the supportbase and the seat in a manner so that a portion of the seat to which thebuttocks of the user is sit is tilted between a first state where theportion becomes horizontal and a second state where the portion isslanted downward toward the foot side in a plane including one offemoral regions and the buttocks of the user.
 2. The exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein an upper body supportingmember, which restricts a range of a position of upper body of the userby restricting a part of the upper body of the user who sits his or herbuttocks on the seat, is further provided; and the range of the positionof the upper body is variable in conjunction with the driving mechanism.3. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 2, whereinthe upper body supporting member has a portion which contacts a frontface of the upper body of the user who sits the buttocks on the seat. 4.The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein atleast one of an area that the seat contacts with the user and a positionof the seat in a horizontal plane is variable.
 5. The exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein steps, on which the userputs his or her foots in a state that the buttocks of the user is sit onthe seat, are further provided, and each step has a plurality of partialsteps respectively contacting a plurality of portions of a sole andindependently moving so as to vary a contacting area between the stepand the sole, and a driving source for moving the partial steps.
 6. Theexercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein ahandrail, which is held by the user in a state that the buttocks of theuser sit on the seat, is further provided.
 7. The exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the seat further comprisesa main seat portion to which the buttocks of the user is sit, and anauxiliary seat portion obliquely extended downward from the main seatportion.
 8. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 7,wherein a front portion of the auxiliary seat portion is formed to betwo-forked so that femoral regions of the user are posited thereon. 9.The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein anangle of the auxiliary seat portion with respect to the main seatportion is variable.
 10. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordancewith claim 4, wherein the seat is slidable in an anteroposteriordirection with respect to the support base.
 11. The exercise assistingapparatus in accordance with claim 4, wherein a main seat portion of theseat is divided into two parts of a front portion and a rear portion,and the front portion and the rear portion are coupled with an extensionand contraction mechanism so as to vary the area of the main seatportion.
 12. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim2, wherein the upper body supporting member is a form of backrest, whichcontacts waist back of the user who sits buttocks on the seat, andcoupled with the seat.
 13. The exercise assisting apparatus inaccordance with claim 12, wherein the seat and the upper body supportmember are coupled through a second driving mechanism which iscontrolled to adjust an angle of the upper body support member withrespect to the seat in conjunction with the tilt of the seat with thedriving mechanism.
 14. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordancewith claim 3, wherein the portion of the upper body supporting memberwhich contacts a front face of the upper body of the user is an arresterhaving a single arm, an end of which is rotatably borne on the seat, anda supporting bar, which is connected to the other end of the arm andcontacts to abdomen of the user.
 15. The exercise assisting apparatus inaccordance with claim 3, wherein the portion of the upper bodysupporting member which contacts a front face of the upper body of theuser is a seat belt.
 16. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordancewith claim 3, wherein the portion of the upper body supporting memberwhich contacts a front face of the upper body of the user is an arresterhaving Tee-shape provided at a center portion of a front end of theseat.
 17. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 5,wherein each of the partial steps is constituted so that at least one ofelevation, location in the anteroposterior direction, location in thewidthwise direction and tilt angle with respect to a pedestal isvariable.
 18. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim5, wherein a load sensor is provided on each of the partial steps, andlocations of the partial steps are regulated by feedback control so asto approach loads detected with the load sensors to target values. 19.The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance with claim 6, wherein thehandrail has a Tee-shape comprised of a pole brace sticking up on apedestal, and a gripper provided at a top end of the pole brace that theuser holds.
 20. The exercise assisting apparatus in accordance withclaim 6, wherein a pair of handrails is integrally provided invicinities of both sides on a front end of the seat in a widthwisedirection.